Separator-grate.



PATENTED JULY 12, 1904.

, N. F. METZ.

SEPARATOR GRATE.

APPLICATION rum) JAN} 11, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

BHBF H INVENTOR.

W B V g A TYORNE Y.

WlTNbSb v 04 7130? imflsaj M No. 764,669. S PATENTED JULY 12, 1904. N.F. MBTZ.

SEPARAI'OR GRATE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 11 1904. N0 MODEL. I S 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WW/w 1 WITNESSES: INVENTOR. aWQ/m 16% J M %7/1 j A. TTORNEY.

UNITED STATES Patented July 12, 1904.

NICHOLAS F. METZ, OF ASHTON, SOUTH DAKOTA.

SEPARATOR-GRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 764,669, dated July 12,1904.

Application filed January 11, 1904. Serial No. 188,446. (No model.) 7

To (1.7], whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, NICHOLAS FMn'rz, a citi- Zen of the UnitedStates,and a resident of Ashton, county of Spink, and State of South Dakota,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Separator-GratesUsed in Grain-Threshing Machines. Separators, and the Like, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to that part of a threshing-maehine or separatorcommonly called the grate and lies adjacent to the toothed cylinder andnear the beater.

The object of my invention is to provide an adjustable grate so arrangedthat the space between the several members may be adjusted and also soconstructed as to tend to spread the grain and distribute the same overthe entire width of the machine and eliminate any tendency of the strawto clog on the grates.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction,arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described, andmore particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like orcorresponding parts, Figure 1 is a plan view of my grate arranged togive the greatest space between adjacent members. Fig. 2 is an elevationtaken from immediately back of the finger-rotating mechanism of Fig. 1.Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view of a separator equipped with myinvention and taken substantially on line 3 3 of Fig 1 and shows therelative position of the grate with the toothed cylinder and beater.Fig. 4 is a plan view of my grate arranged to give the least spacebetween adjacent members. Fig. 5 is an elevation taken from immediatelyback of the finger-rotating mechanism of Fig. 4:. Fig. 6 is an endelevation of one of the members or fingers detached. Fig. 7 is a sideelevation of the member or finger shown in Fig. 6 in combination withthe supporting and elevating mechanism. Fig. 8 is an end elevation ofone of the central members with the supplemental member attached. Fig. 9is an end elevation of one of the members or fingers ot' amodified form.

As shown in the drawings, my improved grate comprises two sections, eachbeginning at substantially the center of the machine and extending tothe adjacent side. Each section is provided with a plurality of bars orfingers 1, extending in a direction longitudinalot the machine andslightly diverging toward the adjacent side. In the preferred form showneach finger is provided with a rounded shank 2, rotatably mounted in atransverse bar 3, which is itself pivotally supported to permit the freeends of the fingers 1 to be vertically adjusted, for a purposehereinafter explained. The shank 2 has its end I bent at an anglethereto, and suitable means are provided to engage the ends I and bymoving them in unison rock the fingers on the shanks 2, and thus controlthe adjustment of the several fingers, and consequently the spacebetween them. As the several fingers are adjusted toward a positionarranging them upon their edges, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the spacebetween them Will be increased, and the effect of directing or throwingthe straw toward the side of the machine will also be increased. As theyare adjusted in the opposite direction, as shown in Figs. 4: and 5, thepart of the fingers adjacent to the shank may be laid practically flat,and the space between them is reduced. Obviously the two sections shouldbe operated in opposite directions, and any suitable means may beemployed for that pur pose. In the preferred form shown the extensions 4ineach section are attached to a bar 5, while a rod 6, extending to theexterior of the machine and there provided with a hand-wheel orequivalent means for convenience in operating the same, is provided withright and left threaded portions 7 8, engaging similarly-cut nutssecured to the bars 5. By rotating the rod 6 in either direction thebars 5 will be IDOVGCl longitudinally, partially rotating the fingers l,as set forth, and adjusting them as desired. The fingers on Suitablemeans may be provided for supporting and vertically adjusting the freeends of the fingers. As shown, a transverse bar 10 is passed beneath thefingers, said bar being offset at the ends 11, pivotally supported, asat 12. and provided with a lever 13, by means of which the bar 10 may bevertically adjusted as desired, thus providing for the verticaladjustment of the free ends of the fingers 1 forming the grate. Anysuitabls means may be provided for securing the lever 13 and theconnected parts in their adjusted position. As shown in the drawings, aguiding-segment 14, provided withaclamp-screw, is provided for thepurpose.

The usual position of the adjacent cooperating parts is shown in Fig. 8,in which 16 represents the cylinder, 17 the usual transverse grates orconcaves, (shown also in Figs. 1 and 4,) 18 the beater, 19 apart of thestrawracks, and 1 to 13 is my grate showing in its normal position andin broken lines the manner in which the free ends of the fingersmay beelevated to throw the straw higher into the beater. In the preferredform of the fingers 1 (shown in Fig. 7) they are aslo given a slighttwist to more thoroughly direct the straw toward the two sides of themachine, and thus equalize the distribution of the straw over the grate.If desired, a similar operation may be secured by forming the finger andits shank at a slight angle, as shown in Fig. 9.

The bar 3 may be pivotally supported in any suitable manner. As shown inthe drawings, it is secured to a rod 20, extending transversely acrossthe machine and supported in the outer walls thereof.

As the free ends of the fingers are vertically adjusted as described,the bars?) 5 are swung in the arc of a circle, and the rod 6 is providedwith a flexible coupling 21 of any preferred construction to readilypermit of such a movement.

It is obvious that after having thus described my improvement variousimmaterial modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit ofmy invention. HenceI do not wish to be understood as limiting myself tothe exact form and construction shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the kind described, a separator-grate comprising aplurality of members extending substantially longitudinally of themachine and diverging from the point of their supports, in combinationwith means for adjusting said membersto vary the space between them.

2. In a device of the kind described, a separator-grate comprising aplurality of curved members extending longitudinally of the machine, incombination with means for ad ust ing said members to vary the spacebetween them; substantially as described.

3. In a device of the kind described, a separator-grate comprising aplurality of members extending longitudinally of the machine, eachmember consisting of a curved plate pivotally supported at one end, incombination with means for partially rotating each of said members toregulate the space between them and means for vertically adjusting thefree end of said members; substantially as described.

4. In a device of the kind described, a separator-grate comprising aplurality of members extending longitudinally of the machine, eachmember consisting of a slightly-twisted plate, in combination with meansfor adjusting said members to vary the space between them; substantiallyas described.

5. In a device of the kind described, a separator-grate comprising aplurality of members extending longitudinally of the machine, eachmember consisting of a slightly-twisted plate pivotally supported at oneend, in combination with means for partially rotating each member toregulate the space between them; substantially as described.

6. In a device of the kind described, a separator-grate comprising aplurality of members extending longitudinally of the machine, eachmember consisting of a curved and slightly-twisted plate, in combinationwith means for adjusting said members to vary the space between them;substantially as described.

7. In a device of the kind described, a separator-grate comprising aplurality of members extending longitudinally of the machine, eachmember consisting of a curved and slightly-twisted plate pivotallysupported at one end, in combination with means for partially rotatingeach member to regulate the space between them; substantially asdescribed.

8. In a device of the kind described, a separator-grate comprising aplurality of series of members extending longitudinally of the machine,each member consisting of a plate pivotally supported at one end, themembers of a series on opposite sides of the center of the machine,diverging toward their free ends, in combination with means forpartially rotating the members of opposing series in opposite directionswhereby the space between the members may be adjusted; substantially asdescribed.

9. In a device of the kind described, a separator-grate comprising aplurality of series of members extendinglongitudinally of the machine,each member consisting of a plate pivotally supported at one end, themembers of the series on opposite sides of the center of the machine,diverging laterally outward toward their free ends, in combination withmeans for simultaneously partially rotating the members of the opposingseries in opposite directions, whereby the space between the members maybe adjusted; substantially as described.

10. In a device of the kind described, a separator-grate comprising aplurality of series of members extending longitudinally of the machine,each member consisting of a curved plate pivotally supported at one end,the members of a series on opposite sides of the machine divergingtoward their free ends, in combination with means for partially rotatingthe members of opposing series in opposite directions, whereby the spacebetween the members may be adjusted; substantially as described.

11. In a device of the kind described, a separator-grate comprising aplurality of series of members extending longitudinally of the machine,each member consisting of a slightlytwisted plate pivotally supported atone end, the members of the series on opposite sides of the machineoutwardly diverging toward their free ends, in combination with meansfor partially rotating the members of opposing series in oppositedirections, whereby the space between the members may be adjusted;substantially as described.

12. In a device of the kind described, a separator-grate comprising aplurality of series of members extending longitudinally of the machine,each member consisting of a curved and slightly-twisted plate pivotall ysupported at one end, the members of the series on op posite sides ofthe machine outwardly diverging toward ,their free ends, in combinationwith means for partially rotating the members of opposing series inopposite directions, whereby the space between the members may beadjusted; substantially as described.

13. In a device of the kind described, a separator-grate comprising twoseries of members extendinglongitudinally of the machine, each memberconsisting of a curved plate pivotally supported at one end, the memberson opposite sides of the machine outwardly diverging toward their freeends, in combination with means for partially rotating the members ofeach series in opposite directions, whereby the space between 'themembers may be adjusted; substantially as described.

let. In a device of the kind described, aseparator-grate comprisingtwoseries of members extending longitudinally of the machine, each memberconsisting of a plate pivotally supported at one end on the line of itslength, the members of the series on each side of the machine outwardlydiverging from their supports toward their free ends, the inner memberof each series being provided with a supplemental member carried therebyadapted as the members are rotated to suitably close the occurringspace, in combination with means for partially rotating the members ofeach series in opposite directions, whereby the space between themembers maybe adjusted.

15. In adevice of the kind described, a separator-grate comprising twoseries of members extending longitudinally of the machine, each memberconsisting of a plate pivotally supported at one end on the line of itslength, the members of the series on each side of the machine outwardlydiverging from their support toward their free end, and means forproperly closing the occurring central space between the two series, incombination with means for partially rotating the members of each seriesin opposite directions, whereby the space between the members may beadjusted.

16. A grate-bar for separators and the like, comprising a bar laterallydiverging from its centerof support with means at one end for securingthe same in position, and adapted to be assembled with other bars oflike construction to complete the grate; substantially as described.

17. A grate-bar for separators and thelike, comprising a curved barlaterally diverging from its center of support with means at one end forsecuring the same in position, and adapted to be assembled with otherbars of like construction to form a complete grate; substantially asdescribed.

18. A grate-bar for separators and the like,

comprising a slightly-twisted bar laterally divering from its center ofsupport with means at one end for securing the same in position;substantially as described.

19. A grate-bar for separators and the like, comprising a curved andslightly-twisted bar laterally diverging from its center of support withmeans at one end for securing the same in position; substantially asdescribed.

20. A grate-bar for separators and the like, comprising a bar laterallydiverging from its center of support with means at one end for rotatablysecuring the same in position, and adapted to be assembled with otherbars of like construction to complete the grate.

21. A grate-bar for separators and the like, comprising apartially-rotatable bar laterally diverging from its center of supportand means at one end for securing the same in position, in combinationwith a supplemental wing carried by the bar and adapted upon the partialrotation of the bar to be positioned in the space caused by thedivergence of the bar.

22. A grain-separator and its associated parts including the beater, incombination with a separatorgrate arranged in proximity to the beater,comprising a plurality of members extending longitudinally of theseparator, means for adjusting said members to vary the space betweenthem and means for vertically adjusting the grate with relation to thebeater.

23. A grain-separator and its associated parts including the beater, incombination with a separator-grate comprising a plurality of membersextending substantially longitudinally of the machine and diverging fromthe point of their support, and means for adjusting said members to varythe space between them.

24:. A grain-separator and its associated parts including the beater,incombination with a separator-grate 'in proximity to the beatercomprising a plurality of members rotati'vely supported at one end andextending substantially longitudinally of the machine and diverging fromthe point of their support, and means for partially rotating saidmembers to vary the space between them. I

25. A grate-bar for separators and the like, comprising a bar laterallydiverging from its center of support, provided witha cylindrical portionat one end for pivotally securing the same in position, and a bell-crankextension formed on said cylindrical part, adapted in its operation topartially rotate said bar and retain the same in its adjusted position.

26. A grate-bar for separators and the like, comprising a curved barlaterally diverging from its center of support, provided with acylindrical portion at one end for pivotally securing the same inposition, and abell-crank extension formed on said cylindrical part,whereby said bar may be partially rotated and retained in its adjustedposition.

27. A grate-bar for separators and the like, comprising aslightly-twisted bar, laterally diverging-from its center of support,provided with a cylindrical portion at one end, for pivotally securingthe same in position, a bellcrank extension formed on said cylindricalpart adapted to partially rotate said bar and retain the same in itsadjusted position.

28. A grate-bar for separators and the like, comprising a curved andslightly-twisted bar laterally diverging from its center of support,provided with a cylindrical portion at one end, for pivotally securingthe same in position, a bell-crank extension formed on said. cylindricalpart adapted to partially rotate said bar and retain the same in itsadjusted position. a

29. A grain-separator and its associated parts including the heater, incombination with a separator-grate arranged in proximity to the beatercomprising a plurality of members rotatably supported at one end,extending substantially longitudinally of the machine and diverging fromthe point of their supports outward toward their free ends, means forpartially rotating said members to vary the space between them, andmeans for vertically adjusting the free ends of the members.

30. A grain-separator and its associated parts,including the beater,incombination with a separatorgrate arranged in proximity to the beatercomprising a plurality of-curved and twisted members rotatably supportedat one end, extending substantially longitudinally of the machine, meansfor partially rotating said members to vary the space between them, andmeans for vertically adjusting the free ends of the bars or members.

31. A grain-separator and its associated parts including the beater, incombination with a separator-grate comprising a plurality of series ofmembers extending longitudinally of the machine each member consistingof a plate rotatably supported at one end, the members of the series onopposite sides of the center of the machine diverging laterally outwardtoward their free ends, means for simul taneously partially rotating themembers of the opposing series in opposite directions, means adaptedupon the rotation of said members to partially close the occurring spacebetween the two series, and means for vertically adjusting the free endsof the members.

32. A grain separator and its associated parts including the beater, incombination with a separator-grate comprising two series of membersextending longitudinally of the machine, each member consisting of acurved and slightly-twisted plate rotatably supported at one end, themembers of the series on 0pposite sides of the machine outwardlydiverging toward their free ends, means for partially rotating themembers of opposing series in opposite directions to vary the spacebetween them, supplemental means for closing the central space betweenthe two series of members as they are outwardly rotated, and means forvertically adjusting the free ends of the members.

33. A separator-grate comprising a plurality of series of membersextending longitudinally the machine, the members on each side ofsubstantially the center of the grate being slightly twisted outward todirect the passing material toward the sides of the machine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence'oftwo subscribing witnesses.

NICHOLAS F. METZ.

WVitnesses:

BURTON U. HILLs, CHARLES I. COBB.

